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New autism blood test likely to join ranks of also-rans

22 March 2017

Timothy Archibald/Redux/Eyevine

By Clare Wilson

ANOTHER day, another biological test for autism is in the news – this time it’s a blood test. But don’t expect it to reach clinics any time soon, and not just because of the usual delays in translating research into reality. The test itself may be flawed.

Eagerness for a simple test is understandable since early diagnosis and intervention might be helpful. Autism can involve difficulties with speech and different social abilities, and the number of children diagnosed with the condition has soared in recent decades (though some believe this is down to closer attention to …

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